Patty Mills knew there were many better ways of going into NBA free agency than with his right arm in a sling.
So the new bumper three-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs was a big relief for the Australian basketball star.
Mills returned to Australia on Tuesday, a month after he and compatriot Aron Baynes helped the Spurs win the NBA title.
It has been a massive time for the 25-year-old since the Spurs beat LeBron James’ Miami Heat for the title.
Mills needed surgery to repair the torn rotator cuff in the right shoulder and that will put him out of action until early next year.
It rules him out of the Boomers squad for the September World Cup in Spain.
But the confirmation of the new contract with San Antonio last weekend took some of the sting out of his injury setback.
“I was very worried, actually,” Mills said.
“This was going to be my first chance to be able to go through a whole two weeks of free-agency and experience what it’s really like.
“I’m very happy with what’s happened with my contract.”
Mills and Baynes fronted the media in Melbourne, a day before they start a national tour with the NBA trophy.
While Mills’ immediate NBA future is settled, Baynes is yet to confirm what he will do next.
Baynes is in the Boomers squad and said that is his immediate priority.
“That one is for the agents to work out,” Baynes said.
“I had a blast when I was there (San Antonio), I enjoyed my time fully.
“Now it’s time for my agents to step in and take care of business – I’m focussed on the world champs right now.”
Mills, a two-time Olympian, said it would hurt to miss this year’s World Cup.
But the indigenous sports star also spoke of his pride of showing off the Torres Island flag when the Spurs secured the NBA title.
“When you talk about my heritage, it’s by far the thing that comes first – my family and my heritage,” Mills said.
“Getting an ability to represent those groups on such an elite stage, it was a very special moment for me to carry the Torres Strait flag … after we won, with the trophy.
“Obviously Baynesy carrying the Australian one too, I felt very special for him as well.”
Mills has contacted new Australian star Dante Exum, who went to the Utah Jazz with pick No.5 in this year’s NBA draft.
He said Exum was an enormous talent with a good attitude.
“In America, he’s got a lot of people excited for him and he’s going to follow up (on) that,” Mills said.
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